LSC Golf Roundup (April 21)

SAN ANTONIO — The Midwestern State women's golf team — led by Lindsay Burkhart's 2-under-par 69 — overcame a 12-stroke deficit to move past two teams and finish second in the 2011 Lone Star Conference Championships on Wednesday.

The Mustangs had the round of the day with a 3-under-par 289 to finish with a three-day total of 895 at the par-71, 5,867-yard course at The Republic Golf Club.

Tarleton State won the title with an 866, while Incarnate Word and Northeastern State — the two teams the Mustangs passed — finished at 897 and 905, respectively.

TSU senior Carla Cooper topped the individual leader board by six strokes over teammate Jacqueline Lau and Texas A&M-Commerce Chantry McMahan firing rounds of 68, 72 and 70 for a 3-under total of 210.

"The girls had the best round of golf since we started the program," MSU coach Jeff Ray said. "We had four quality scores and this a great way to go out, but we really want to make the regional tournament."

The Mustangs came into the week ranked 10th in the West Region and only nine teams make the NCAA II Super Regional field in two weeks at the Tascosa Country Club in Amarillo.

"I told the girls we'd have to finish second to Tarleton to have a chance to make the regional," Ray said. "The girls did what they had to do, but there's no guarantee."

The Mustangs were hoping to challenge No. 9 Nebraska-Omaha for the final postseason berth, but the Mavs also finished strong by claiming the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship earlier this week in Kansas City.

MSU hopes it did enough to overtake No. 8 Sonoma State, who has been idle the last few weeks. But that's in the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Committee hands now.

Senior Kyla Whittley and Burkhart, a sophomore, delivered their best collegiate performances to join sister and fellow sophomore Kendra Whittley to finish within the Top 10 of the individual leader board with matching 222 totals (+9).

Burkhart tallied four birdies and her 69 was the best round of the day. It was also better than her previous low score by eight shots.

"Lindsay was fantastic today and really steady," Ray said. "She hit greens in regulation and every time she got in trouble, she hit a putt to keep it going. I'm very proud of her."

Kyla Whittley finished with a 71, while Kendra Whittley shot a 74 to secure her sixth Top 10 finish of the year. Taylor Klutts also shot a 74 to finish tied for 24th with a total of 232 (+19).

Sophomore Lauren Romines shot an 80 to finish tied for 38th with a 242 (+29).

Smith leads men to their best round

SAN ANTONIO — Midwestern State just couldn't shake off its slow start at the Lone Star Conference Championships played at the Par-72, 7,172-yard Randolph Oaks Golf Course.

Paced by sophomore Sam Smith, the Mustangs rallied to their best round of the three-day tournament with a 3-over team total of 291.

And that wasn't enough to make a move as Midwestern settled for a ninth place showing as all but one program in the 11-team field fired a sub-300 team total in Wednesday's final round.

Central Oklahoma claimed the conference title by nine strokes with an 859 (-9) followed by Cameron (868) and Abilene Christian (870).

UCO's Colby Shrum topped the individual leader board firing rounds of 67, 72 and 68 for a total of 207 (-9).

"The boys were disappointed with the first two days, but bounced back today," MSU coach Jeff Ray said. "We'll have to recover and prepare to go to Georgetown, Ky."

The Mustangs advance to the NCAA Super Regionals for the third time in the school history which will be played from May 2-4 at Cherry Blossom Golf Club.

Smith, a sophomore from Archer City, has been a big part of that and was in the mix Wednesday afternoon as he fired a team low round of 70 (-2) as he rallied from an opening round 86 to finish tied for 38th with a total of 232 (+16).

"Sam had a great spring and will continue to develop as a player," Ray said. "He is going to be a big part of our future."

Sophomore Raine Copeland (78-75-72) and Jeremy LeGuen (75-76-74) gave the Mustangs consistency this week finishing tied for 24th with a total of 225 (+9), while junior Trevor Arianna (74-79-76) carded a total of 229 (+13) to tie for 32nd.

Junior Brett Perry logged two countable rounds and finished tied with Smith at 38th with a total of 232 (+16).